Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow who has lived in Sweden for 21 years, is fighting deportation after authorities rejected her late post-Brexit residency application, joining 2,500 Britons ordered to leave the country.
A human rights investigator will testify that the UK government received intelligence in 2024 linking Ethiopia to supporting a genocidal militia in Sudan but withheld public disclosure due to "significant private pressure" from the UAE. The investigator alleges the UK prioritized relations with the UAE over preventing mass atrocities.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is facing internal crisis after Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Olly Robbins, the senior civil servant leading radical departmental reforms. Robbins was dismissed over security vetting lapses surrounding Peter Mandelson's failed appointment as US ambassador. The FCDO 2030 program aims to cut 2,000 jobs by decade's end, with staff currently undergoing a job-matching exercise. Insiders describe low morale and uncertainty, while the department faces multiple pressures including a diplomatic scandal involving ambassador Christian Turner's remarks about Israel.
A senior Foreign Office security official has testified that he felt pressure from Downing Street to rapidly conclude Peter Mandelson's security vetting clearance, which was eventually granted despite UKSV recommending denial. Ian Collard said he gave an oral briefing to former permanent secretary Olly Robbins without having seen the UKSV assessment summary that flagged Mandelson as a 'high concern'. The testimony adds to controversy surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer's claim that 'no pressure existed whatsoever' in the case.
Cat Little, Cabinet Office permanent secretary, will give evidence to MPs regarding the vetting of Peter Mandelson for ambassadorial clearance. The hearing follows controversy over Olly Robbins's sacking and the discovery of a recommendation against granting Mandelson clearance.
